A 'murder suspect' has been arrested after a stranger stabbed to death a father directly in front of his son - following a 'scuffle' on a train yesterday.

The shock incident took place on the 12.58 service from Guildford to Waterloo where the victim received 'multiple stab wounds' to his body in a 'horrific' attack.

Now British Transport Police has confirmed that the suspect - on the run yesterday - has been arrested.

It comes after a knifeman was on the run following the fatal stabbing of a 51-year-old man on board a train to London in front of his teenage son.

Fresh details of the fatal attack, which took place on the 12.58 service from Guildford to Waterloo, were released by detectives yesterday evening.

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A passenger has been stabbed to death on board a train to London in front of horrified travellers this afternoon. Detectives have launched a murder enquiry after the man in his 50s was knifed once in the neck on the 12.58pm service travelling from Guildford to Waterloo

Despite desperate attempts from paramedics the man died at the scene, while the attacker is thought to have got off the train fled into the surrounding Clandon area - just one stop into the Surrey to London journey (pictured is Horsley Station, where the train pulled in)

The attacker is thought to have got off the train fled into the surrounding Clandon area - just one stop into the Surrey to London journey. Police have cordoned off the station and are conducting investigations

A police officer and station staff member stand at Horsley station while forensics conduct their investigation. One woman passenger, who asked not to be named, said: 'There was a lot of blood everywhere in the carriage. I don't think the poor chap stood a chance'

The forensics at the scene at Horsley station today. A number of officers are now in the Clandon area, attempting to identify and trace the man responsible for this assault. No arrests have been made at present

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The suspect, who police think was not known to the victim, is described as a black man in his twenties to thirties, is approximately 6ft tall, with a slim build and beard, dressed all in black with white trainers.

Earlier shocked witnesses said the man was knifed following a scuffle with another passenger who then fled into the surrounding Clandon area - just one stop into the Surrey to London journey.

One woman passenger, who asked not to be named, said: 'There was a lot of blood everywhere in the carriage. I don't think the poor chap stood a chance.

'The police who were here first started to give him CPR but it was apparently too late to save him and he died while the train was in the station.'

Other passengers said how the ticket inspector and driver leaped into action to desperately try and save the man before emergency services arrived.

British Transport Police Superintendent Paul Langley said in a statement: 'Tragically as a result of this stabbing, a man believed to be 51-years-old, was pronounced dead on board the train.

'Early indications suggest he received multiple stab wounds to his body.

'What we know at the moment is that the victim boarded the train at around 1.00pm at London Road station in Guildford, along with his 14-year-old son.

Forensics officers are continuing their work at Horsley station this evening, following the stabbing of a man in his 50s. No arrests have been made

'Traumatically, the victims son would have been nearby when his father was fatally wounded. This would have been an horrific and hugely traumatic event to have witnessed and we are providing him with as much support as possible.'

Forensic teams have been searching a field in Clandon after a local resident found a bloodied hat on the ground and said she confronted a ' sweaty nervous man' .

Officers with tracker dogs were also seen in the field.

Three uniformed officers stood guard by a wooden gate adjacent to the property less than a quarter of a mile from Clandon station.

Detectives at British Transport Police (BTP) have launched a murder enquiry following a serious incident on board a train between Guildford and Waterloo earlier today

Mother Rowena Dodwell posted a message on a local neighbourhood watch site to describe her confrontation with possibly the murder suspect.

She wrote:' Please be vigilant as I just came across a mid 20's, slim build, black beard, bald suspicious man wearing a black track suit walking around our neighbouring field, very sweaty and nervous.

'He walk to the bottom then stood in the woodland, walk back up. I asked him what he was doing and he said he had an accident?

'Our road is private and so is the field. He walked off on the phone and didn't want to chat. There was no reason for him to be there!

'Called police as he's dropped a blooded hat in field.'

Police are now in the area, attempting to identify and trace the man responsible for this assault.

Supt Langley added: 'We also know that the suspect left the train service at Clandon station, and headed in the direction of Dedswell Drive.

'There have been a number of sightings in this areas from members of the public and our enquiries are focussing in on these areas.

'We have a number of officers in the area working hard to trace the man responsible for this violent and deadly attack.

'We are working close with Surrey Police and the National Police Air Service who are helping us to locate him.'

Police are in the area this evneing, attempting to identify and trace the man responsible for the fatal assault

Matt Phelps, 35, who works at a business in West Clandon, said police officers provided a description of the man they were hunting - a man with a beard and short hair, who was 'not dressed for the weather' in a T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms, and strikingly bright white trainers.

He said: 'There were also three helicopters circling overhead when we locked up and went home.

'It was a bit alarming when someone I worked with put two and two together and we realised who the police were looking for.

'You sometimes see the police helicopter going over or cars going past with sirens on but to think there was someone like that potentially hiding around the corner somewhere certainly made us want to pack up and go home quicker than usual.'

Another woman who did not want to be named told The Telegraph: 'A man was seen in a field. He had no hair on his head but had a black beard. Someone said he had been seen in a field and accosted a woman walking her dog.

'He apparently said to her 'I am in a lot of trouble', before he dropped his hat and ran away. The hat was later recovered by the police who are examining it for forensic clues.'

Officers sealed off the Clandon area as the manhunt for the killer continued this evening.

Dozens of commuters cars were stranded in the car park at the Surrey station with owners told they would have to remain parked until forensic teams had completed their investigation.

Earlier a police helicopter had hovered over the surrounding countryside as it scoured farmland and nearby National Trust property of Clandon Park.

A number of police cars at the station where a man in his 50s was knifed in an attack. Lines will remain closed while police conduct their investigations

The scene at Horsley station this evening and police and the forensics team continue working. Anyone who witnessed the incident or with any information should contact British Transport Police

The killer would have had a choice of walking either towards the village of Send or towards East Clandon on leaving the station.

Drinkers at the Onslow Arms, about a quarter of a mile from the Clandon station, said they heard the helicopter hovering overhead during the afternoon.

'There were lot of police cars racing along the road and word soon went round someone had been stabbed, said one of the pub regulars.

'There's hardly any serious crime round here so everyone took notice'

12.58pm service travelling from Guildford to Waterloo: Map shows the journey from London to Surrey

Another witness praised the efforts of the railway staff in the frenzied aftermath of the attack.

Timeline

12.58pm- The South Western Train leaves Guildford, with London the final destination.

1.01pm- The victim, thought to be in his 50s, and attacker, board the train at London Road.

1.07pm- The attacker is thought to flee the train at Clandon.

1.11pm- The victim is found as the train pulls into Horsley.

1.15pm- Police officers are called to the to Horsley station after reports a man has been stabbed.

Natalie Jones tweeted: 'I was on this train. How those guards and especially the train driver went into action was nothing short of incredible.'

Oliver Thompson, a 16-year-old student living in Clandon, said he was stopped by police in the area at roughly 2.30pm and asked if he had seen a 'man running from the station'.

A little later he saw police helicopters circling the area before being joined by 'a police van with high-powered lights' as conditions darkened.

'It comes as a big surprise as Clandon is a quiet area that you wouldn't associate with crime like this,' he said.

'It is definitely unnerving to think there is a murderer maybe somewhere in the village.'

A Home Office pathologist was expected to carry out a post mortem examination on the man's body to establish the exact cause of his death and the Surrey coroner was notified of the death.

Natalie Jones tweeted: 'I was on this train. How those guards and especially the train driver went into action was nothing short of incredible'

It is understood the murder happened after two men became involved in a scuffle following a dispute. Witnesses said that punches were thrown and the victim was then stabbed in the neck. The station remains cordoned off while police, including forensic officers, investigate

Police are now in the area, attempting to identify and trace the man responsible for this assault. No arrests have been made yet. A Home Office pathologist was expected to carry out a post mortem examination on the man's body to establish the exact cause of his death and the Surrey coroner was notified of the death

Forensics staff, pictured at Horsley station, where a man in his 50s was knifed in the neck following a scuffle with another passenger who then fled into the surrounding Clandon

Detective Superintendent Gary Richardson from British Transport Police, said: 'This was a shocking and violent attack which took place on-board a train in broad daylight.

'Officers from BTP are with the family and have deployed a specially trained family liaison officer to support them through this difficult time.

'We know that this was an incredibly frightening incident for passengers travelling on the train.

One woman passenger, who asked not to be named, said: 'There was a lot of blood everywhere in the carriage. I don't think the poor chap stood a chance. The police who were here first started to give him CPR but it was apparently too late to save him and he died while the train was in the station' (forensic officers sweep the area)

South Western Railway said lines will be closed while police conduct their investigation. Rail replacement buses are being provided and train tickets are being accepted on Southern Railway services between Dorking and Clapham Junction and some Stagecoach bus services

'We believe that the suspect and victim boarded the train at London Road at 1.01pm and we would encourage who was on this train to come forward regardless of whether or not they think they can help our investigation.

'We believe the suspect departed the train at Clandon station.

'Passengers and members of the public can expect to see an increased presence by BTP and Surrey Police officers at Horsley and Clandon as our enquiries continue.

'We would advise anyone in the local area who sees anyone they think maybe the suspect to contact 999 immediately.'

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling tweeted: 'The incident near Horsley is tragic, and our deepest sympathies are with the victim and their family. I urge anyone who witnessed what happened to contact @BTP and @SurreyPolice, by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40.'

National Rail announced delays and cancellations following the attack - with services on the line halted while police conduct their investigations

View of the South Western Railway service from Guildford in Surrey to London. The attack took place on the 12.58 service today. Lines will remain closed while police conduct their investigations

BTP have said: 'Anyone who witnessed the incident or with any information should contact BTP by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 – quoting reference 210 of 04/01/19. Or you can ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111'

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with any information should contact BTP by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 – quoting reference 210 of 04/01/19. Or you can ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

South Western Railway said: 'Due to the police dealing with an incident between Guildford and Effingham Junction the line is blocked.

'Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 9pm.'

Lines will remain closed while police conduct their investigations, they added.

Rail replacement buses are being provided and train tickets are being accepted on Southern Railway services between Dorking and Clapham Junction and some Stagecoach bus services.

A bloody start to the year: London's stabbing victims of 2018

Last year was the capital's deadliest since 2008 as London saw 134 people murdered in 2018.

It's a New Year and already a number of violent incidents have shocked the Capital.

The first stab victim of New Year was named as 33-year-old mother Charlotte Huggins.

She was stabbed to death at her home in Camberwell, south-east London, at 4.20am yesterday hours after wishing 'all a happy new year' on Facebook.

Police officers were called to the house at 4.20am – and she was pronounced dead half an hour later.

Meanwhile in Mayfair, police were called to a property at 5.36am to reports of a stabbing, and attended with London Ambulance Service paramedics

A doorman, Tudor Simionov, was found with stab injuries following the private party and pronounced dead at 6.05am.

Two other security staff and a woman who came to the door were also stabbed, and taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Elsewhere in Wild West Britain one woman in her 20s was shot at a nightclub in Dalston, East London, while a drunken thug in the West Midlands attacked a partygoer with a 2ft sword.

In Essex, a youth was stabbed once in the stomach at Club 195 in Epping after being involved in 'a verbal exchange' with a group of men on the dancefloor.